Spurs sink as Villa dream of Europe
By James
May 4 2004
Villa kept their European football dreams alive by clinching another vital win as the competition for fourth or fifth place becomes increasingly intense as each match goes by. One goal was enough for O’Leary’s men as Villa ran out 1-0 winners in a mixed game thanks to a Juan Pablo Angel header.

The claret and blue boys began the game with a fast and ferocious pace as they looked to secure the three points needed to keep the pressure on Newcastle and Liverpool. Villa will be guaranteed to finish in either fourth or fifth if they gain maximum points from their two remaining games as neither Liverpool nor Newcastle can gain full points as they meet each other on the last day of the season.

Juan Pablo Angel grabbed the important goal – his 22nd of the season - only five minutes into the game thanks to a header supplied by Gareth Barry. Barry flicked a header back into the box from the back post as it was heading out and Angel jumped higher than anyone else in the six yard box to thump home the winner.

Villa had much the better of the first half in a game which petered out into nothing much during the second half. Gareth Barry was influential throughout the first half and put in the kind of display which he showed week in week out last season; however in this campaign he has been a little inconsistent.

South American’s Angel and Ulises De La Cruz both came close for Villa, Colombian international Angel through a header and the Ecuadorian De La Cruz – who was very impressive throughout – came close with a low drive. In between, Dean Richards had a rare first half chance for the Londoners as he headed over with a free header.

Jamie Redknapp had two free kick opportunities, however they failed to find the target with any great threat or malice as Sorensen had no problems plucking the ball out of the air.

Three big chances arrived at three Villa midfielder’s feet and the results left them wondering if they’d live to regret the missed opportunities. First Thomas Hitzlsperger was played through on the left hand side after a nice move and he blasted his shot onto the bar and out for a goal kick.

Good work by Peruvian International Nolberto Solano gifted a shooting chance to Gareth Barry, which he fired just inches wide. Gavin McCann was the last to get a shot out after he, like Barry, only just missed the target as Villa fans didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about the created but missed chances.

HALFTIME – Villa 1 Spurs 0

Spurs were quicker out of the starting blocks than Villa as their three pronged attack got into action in an attempt to steal an equalizer. Robbie Keane was playing just behind ex-West Ham players Jermaine Defoe and Freddie Kanouté upfront, however they all failed to really threaten.

The best chance of the match for Spurs was well kept out by Thomas Sorensen in the Villa goal, who had a relatively quiet afternoon between the sticks. The Danish international foiled Welshman Simon Davies from close range with a strong parry.

Angel made way for substitute Marcus Allbäck who had a good chance; however his shot was more like a pass to Kasey Keller. If the Swede had just lofted the ball over the American’s head it could have made for a nice goal, however his inability to score replicates his season to date, although injuries have also taken their course.

Villa didn’t really push as much as they had done in the first half; however they always looked in control and could have moved up a gear if they desperately needed to. This should have been the case however if not just for the condition of the fans finger nails as a chorus of whistles were present throughout injury time before the referee ended the game and Villa Park cheered a relief cheer as much a delighted one.

All in all Villa just about deserved the three point thanks mainly to their convincing first half display and they are looking great outside bets for a Champions League spot with only two matches to go against Southampton away and a recently faltering Manchester United side at home.

FULLTIME – Villa 1 Spurs 0

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